Page 187 - Half Girlfriend

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'So this is the famous Dumraon Royal School,’ Riya said, her eyes
widening at the sight of hundreds of kids buzzing around like bees.

‘Nothing royal about it,’ I said.
‘Well, I hear a prince runs it,’ she said.

She smiled at me. I gave her an all-knowing, what-happened-last-
night look. Of course, not much had happened. But a kiss is a kiss is a

kiss.

‘We decided never to talk about it,’ she said.
‘I didn’t say anything.’

‘Tell your eyes to be quiet then.They talk too much.’
I laughed. ‘How’s your cough?’

‘Better,’ she said.
We reached school at nine, two hours after Ma. Riya had slept in.

Since she did not know the way, I had to wait for her. She, had
donned a skirt and top first, but I had asked her to change into a

salwar-kameez instead. Not that the kids would care but the principal,
or Rani Sahiba, would. She had to approve of the dress code. So Riya

switched to a plain white chikan salwar-kameez.
We entered the staffroom.

‘You finally made it. Welcome,’ my mother said. I ignored her
sarcasm. Riya and I greeted her, but Ma only nodded, without looking

up from her notebooks.

I introduced Riya to the staff.
Tarachand ji duly rang the bell. My mother stood up.

‘Where are you going, Ma? It is my period.’
‘Are you working today?’ she said.

‘Yes, of course.’
‘Good, because I have a hundred books to correct.’

She sat down again.
‘Is it okay if Riya waits here?’ I said.

‘Oh, I could walk around,’ Riya said.